August 27, 2010
TAKE A FIVE MINUTE HEALTH RETREAT: According to research involving 1200 people, as little as five minutes a day spent in a nature setting was all it took to boost short and long term mental and physical health. A city park, garden or a walk in a rural setting all worked well. If the place has water, the results were even better. So, as if you needed another reason to enjoy the outdoors, here it is. Along with your daily glass of OJ, make it a habit to get outside and see how it makes you feel.
August 7, 2010
If the kids are getting itchy and restless from summer activity, try having them prepare this treat. It's been proven that when children are allowed to help prepare foods, they will eat them. What better way to encourage healthy snacks than to "cook" them yourself. THIS ONE CAN BE TAKEN TO A PICNIC OR BACKYARD BAR-B-QUE.
SAVORY PEANUT BUTTER DIP
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter 3 oz. fat free cream cheese
1-2 T. lemon or apple juice 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/8 to 1/4 c. natural applesauce sliced apples, bananas,celery stalks, carrots, graham cracker sticks, broccoli florets
1. Combine the PB, cream cheese, juice and cinnamon in food processor. Blend until smooth.
2. Add applesauce, little by little, to bring to desired consistency. Chill before serving with fruits and veggies. You can also try this over baked sweet potatoes. Yum!
Enjoy the rest of this hot summer. HAPPY AUGUST!
July 10, 2010
Here are some yummy and refreshing summer treats:
BANANA POPS
Cut 2 bananas in half crosswise. Poke a popscicle stick in each piece. Roll in melted semi-sweet morsels and chopped peanuts. Place on a sheet of wax paper and freeze until set.
JUICE POPS
Fill paper cups with the fruit juice of your choice. Try apricot or pear nectar, pomegranate juice, grape or cherry juice. slide a plastic spoon or popsicle stick in each cup and place in the freezer until set. When ready to eat, dip the cups in warm water to loosen and you're good to go. These are nutritious and better for you than the store bought ones and they taste great.
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Christina Lee:
Hi there! Well guess who's going to make the banana pops? THX!!
July 1, 2010
A new month and a new season...summer. School's out and the pace slows down. I never stop feeling as if anything is possible when summer is here. I guess it comes from childhood when we packed so much into those two months. Growing up in a bay town, there was always the beach. On the rare occasions when we tired of the salt water, sand and sea air, we played endless games of kickball, tag, hide and seek or would lie on our backs and watch the clouds. Does anyone still look for shapes in these white puffs? Are the simple pleasures of summer even appreciated by the children of today? It was a thrill to get an ice cream cone after dinner from the local dairy freeze. I always volunteered to get the cones for Mom, Dad and my sister Sandra. It was a short walk, but no one usually wanted to go. On one particularly hot day, the cones started to melt in the carry-out carton, so, not wanting to bring home a puddly mess, I licked all the cones so they were nice and neat. It was evident all the cones were licked, but no one complained. Everytime I get one of those vanilla twist cones, I remember that summer so long ago.
Enjoy these days when anything in the world seems possible and the days are just for doing what feels good. Share an ice cream cone with someone you love.
HAPPY SUMMER!
June 15, 2010
With the oil mess in the Gulf I can't help but take stock in how I tread on this place called earth. Have we all become so dependent on an oil economy that we are willing to risk so much to get our fix? This disaster is a time for each of us to examine how we live life. I think there are many small, simple ways to become less dependent on oil in our daily lives. For instance, we can stop accepting those hideous plastic grocery bags for everything we buy. When I was a girl growing up in the 60's, we took a shopping bag to the store and put everything we bought into it. We could easily do that every day until it becomes habit. Keep them in your car and you won't forget to use them. Also, it's so much cheaper to use a filter pitcher or sink filter than all those plastic water bottles. The more petroleum based products we refuse to buy or use, the less likely we all are to see another disaster like the one in the Gulf.
Start small: ride a bike for errands under a mile. Eat local foods (the further food is shipped, the more gasoline is needed). Plant trees. reuse ziplock bags...they can be rinsed with soapy water and hung upside down over a wooden spoon to dry. It sounds simplistic and silly, but revolutions begin when one person decides there must be a better way.
START A REVOLUTION.
May 30, 2010
On this Memorial Day, let us try to remember that there is a cost to the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted. Please honor those who have served in past wars and those who are currently serving our country. These men and women made it possible for us to call America our home and to allow us to continue to live the American Dream...which is still very much alive. If you doubt this, ask an immigrant or someone here on a visa why they came to this country. For all our difficulties, we are still a haven for many people around the world. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY. THANK SOMEONE IN THE ARMED SERVICES AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.
May 15, 2010
MAY CRAFT: Rock Critters: Gather some smooth rocks of various sizes and shapes. Wash them and assemble the following for decoration: Tacky glue, googlie eyes, sequins, feathers, yarn, beads, sticks/twigs, craft paint, and whatever else you find that might add character to your critter. Look over the rocks and see if any suggest an animal and then get creative. Glue small rocks onto larger ones for heads; Paint stripes, spots, etc. on the rocks; use pebbles or twigs for legs. Embellish with whatever comes to mind. let it all dry overnight. When finished, you will have your very own "Pet Rock". Have fun and Happy May.
Here's an old riddle that will perhaps make you think of when you were young."If April showers bring may flowers, what do may flowers bring?"
Answer: Pilgrims! (think about it)
April 24, 2010
There has been a lot of focus on this Big Blue Marble we live on called Planet Earth. In honor of Earth Day (which I think should be practiced in small ways everyday), I'd like to quote from a saying that brings it all up front and center. I don't know who originated it, but it has meaning and is something we can all aspire to as a way to tread more kindly on our home planet. Here it is: "When you venture out into the natural world, TAKE only pictures, LEAVE only footprints, and KILL only time."
Happy Earth Day! May we all go out in the world and do something kind for our home called Earth.
April 8, 2010
I don't know of too many young childen who don't enjoy Playdoh. Here is a great rainy day recipe for making your own. It is easily stored in a plastic container with a tight lid and can be reused just like the stuff you buy.
Play Dough: Let your child help measure and mix: 1C flour, 1C water, 1T oil, 1/2C salt 1 tsp cream of tartar, food coloring.
1. Cook over medium heat until mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and is dough-like in consistency.
2. Knead until cool. Store in airtight container, unrefrigerated. Keeps fresh about 3 months.
Hint: Rolling pin, cookie cutters, plastic knives and forks and popsicle sticks are great tools for working the dough. Use your imagination and join in with your kids to increase the fun. If you confine the play to the kitchen table, there is little or no mess to clean up. Have fun!
March 31, 2010
I had a wonderfully productive time at the NJSCBWI Writers workshop in Princeton last Sunday. Now I have work to do to get my manuscripts ready for submission. I become inspired when I am in a room with so many people who are devoted to the craft of writing for children. There was so much talent in one place! The critiques were thoughtful and helpful and will be a great starting point for revision. Now I just have to get busy.
March 21, 2010
HAPPY SPRING! I know it is officially here by the date. I see it is really here by the following: crocus and daffodils are waving their colorful petals in the garden, and rhubarb has poked its stems through the dirt. I cut some pussy willow from a ragged bush on the edge of my yard. It was planted several years ago as a seedling and was forgotten until now. The "paws" of the pussy willow are soft and swollen, and they look beautiful in a vase with the daffodils. After this glorious week of sunshine and temps near 70, I am intoxicated by the prospect of spring...no more snow! So, even if the weather goes back to the normal temperature of 50 or so degrees, spring is here to stay and we are better for it. So, go for a walk and engage your senses...smell is especially useful with the fragrant blossoms and fresh grass seedlings. You know what they say.."Use it or lose it".
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." Proust
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Amanda Jacobson:
Having new eyes, yes, to see the beauty already around us! There is so much available if we will only look, be aware, and notice. It seems that "noticing" is easier in spring...let's all enjoy it.
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Darlene:
I think noticing is easier because everything seems new after the cold, grey, and uninspired pallet of winter. Good to hear from you.
March 5, 2010
HAPPY MARCH! Boy am I glad to see the end of February. March has always been my favorite month...birthday, spring, warmer /longer days...what's not to love? Here is a fun project I did with my pre-k classes last week. It is always a tasty hit and has never failed.
SOFT PRETZELS
4 c. flour (mix white and wheat) Set aside.
1 pkg. yeast dissolved in 1- 1/2 c. warm (120) water in a large bowl. Add 1T. sugar and 1T salt.
Let your kiddies take turns adding the flour and stirring until it begins to form dough. Then the fun begins.
Divide the dough onto waxed paper into as many pieces as needed. Have children shape the dough by rolling it into a rope between their hands. If it's sticky, dust hands with a bit of flour. Shape into the first letter of child's name so each one gets his/her own pretzel.
Place on cookie sheet and brush with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with sesame, poppy seeds and/or salt. Bake for 15 min. at 375. They look funny but taste delicious and have never failed to be a hit in my classes. Let me know what you think.
Happy baking, and HAPPY SPRING.
February 26, 2010
More amazing feats of wonder from Vancouver: The Canadian figure skater whose mother died of a heart attack just this week, goes on to perform and win a bronze medal. Another athlete - a skiier - crashes during training, suffers enormous pain, completes a cross country trek and wins a medal despite several broken ribs and other injuries. There are other stories as well. How do these people find the courage and perserverance to continue on their quest despite all the odds? Those of us who often give up when things get a bit tough or worse still, are afraid to try for fear of failure, could learn a lesson of life altering value in these stories. And, as writers, we owe it to ourselves to rise above the rejections, and keep striving to succeed. It is often only a matter of "sticking with it" that makes the difference. One of my favorite quotes is "Nothing ventured, nothing gained". Trying and failing isn't nearly so bad as not trying at all. End of sermon. May we all find Olympic courage when we need it.
February 20, 2010
I am really enjoying the olympics this time around. One of the most satisfying parts have been the stories told about the athletes and their lives beyond the sport. It amazes and impresses me how giving many of them are at such young ages. Shawn White and the female snowboarder Ms. Teter give a lot of time and money to charities. When the Russian figure skater complained about getting second place, US gold medalist Evan Laysachek responded in such a sportsman like and generous way, it reinforced all the best things about this level of competition. When I see so many young people...barely into their twenties...doing such significant things outside themselves, I know the world and our future is in wonderful hands. Cheers for the US Olympic atheletes...the Pros could learn a good lesson from these awesome individuals.
February 6, 2010
With so much snow we could reduce the National Debt considerably if we sold some to Vancouver for the Olympics, one might be inclined to mumble and grouse about winter. I am in that group after having shoveled over 3 feet of the stuff these last few days. However, I couldn't help but smile as I drove around the snow-sculptured landscapes and saw the following: A snowman complete with a fancy beaded hat who looked like he was waving hello; a mountain of snow dividing a parking lot contained several shopping carts that will remain stuck until melt-down; my cat, insisting she wanted to go out and then getting stuck so that she looked like a legless, furry mat on top of a snow pile. I had to put on boots and rescue her pathetic hide. With a cup of hot cocoa, a working computer, a TV to watch the Winter Olympics, and memories of the sun on my face, I can smile my way through the rest of this winter until the first crocus peeks out of the snow heralding spring. Happy Valentine's Day.
February 6, 2010
Well, the big blizzard of 2010 is over and we have managed to survive and shovel out from under. It looks like we in S. Jersey got about 24 inches with 3 foot drifts in spots. It will be awhile before we see the grass again. The older I get the more I long for warmth and little or no snow. Counting down to spring...
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Darlene:
Here it is 12:46 on Wednesday afternoon...a snow day from school and the snow is in full force, covering the trees and anything in its path. I am in agreement in thinking we will be out of school until next tues. You also stay safe and warm.
February 2, 2010
FEBRUARY CRAFT: This one happens to be edible. For a quick and delicious gift for Valentine's Day that is easy for kids to make for grandparents or teachers, melt a 12 oz. package of morsels (I use semi sweet, but you can use white or milk chocolate) and dip the following foods into it: dried apricots, dried pineapple spears, pretzel logs, graham cracker sticks, and whatever else catches your fancy. It looks best if you dip half the item in chocolate and leave the rest as is. You can then sprinkle with jimmies for a more festive look. Let it harden on waxed paper and then pack into chinese take-out boxes or plastic containers.
Who doesn't love a homemade gift and chocolate...it's food of the gods!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
January 31, 2010
I did it. I finished the first draft of my Middle Grade historical novel THE CARRIAGE MAKER'S DAUGHTER. Now, with the help of my critique group, I am going to post the chapters over the next few weeks to get the novel in shape for the conference I will attend in March. It feels great to be done, but I know the hardest part comes next...revision. It's like pulling a bandage off a hairy arm. OR, stabbing yourself in the eye with a fork. OR, walking on hot tar in bare feet. You can add your own painful analogy. But as the saying goes...no pain, no gain. So with that in mind, I will dive in.
January 29, 2010
For those of you out there who don't believe miracles happen in this day and age, think about this: 17 days after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a teenaged girl named Darlene (I like the co-incidence of her name), was rescued from the rubble, hanging on to life by a thread, but hanging on none the less. As of today, she is eating yogurt and mashed veggies and has a 95% chance of a full recovery. 17 days without food and little water. If her survival and the will to "hang on" despite odds isn't a miracle, I don't know what is.
I think miracles are everywhere if we choose to pay attention. I'd love to hear what miracles any of you might have heard or witnessed yourself. For me, the rebirth of life that occurs every spring is my favorite miracle. When out of a cold, barren, seemingly lifeless winter landscape a crocus opens its petals to the first warmth of the sun...I feel as if just about anything is possible.
Here's to miracles big and small.
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David L. Harrison:
Thanks for the reminder, Darlene. It's tempting to say something light about writers believing in miracles, too, but this girl and her story of survival remind us all that life itself is precious and worth fighting for. David
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Karen:
Hi - Here's my miracle. I was adopted as in infant through Lutheran Social Services. On my 25th birthday I met my biological mother. The adoption agency connected us after I talked to one of their social workers. She shared photos with me, told me the story of the beginning of my life, and told me about my father. We had an awkward relationship. Neither of us knew what to do with the other. I tried to find my father. I looked in phone books. I wrote a letter to him and mailed it to his mother. When the internet became possible I googled his name over and over and over and never found a clue. After a while this was really wearing on me. I have found college roommates, relatives, and old high school friends on the internet. I wondered if my mother lied to me. My husband and I were going to a friend's house for a Bible study group. Everytime we met they would ask for prayer requests and most nights I didn't have any. Things are good and everyone is healthy. But one night I decided to ask about my father; that I either find hinm or stop worrying about it. Nine days later at school I mentioned to a colleague that I with there wer books for kids who had no relationship with one of their parents. The colleague asked about my mother, and I said yes, I knew her, but I couldn't find my father. I said, "I know his name is Donn Hettel, and that he was an art student at Temple in 1960." The colleague said, "That's my cousin's husband." Darlene, that's a miracle.
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Darlene:
I agree. You were open to a miracle because you didn't expect it at that time and in that place. Did you get to meet your Dad?
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Enter name here.:
Dad had a stroke a few years ago and has no memory of me or my mother. I had a few conversations with my half brother and he told me my father never told anyone about me. Here's something strange - my half sister and her son have facebook pages, and I can see their information and photos.
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Darlene:
Do you see yourself in those photos? Have you been able to meet and make peace with everyone? It sounds like it's been a long and painful journey for you.
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Karen:
The journey has been more Bizarre than painful. I was looking for an answer, and I found it. When my mother was alive neither of us knew what to do with the other. I don' t need another Mom or Dad - and I don't want to disrupt anyone's life. I wasn't embraced but I'm not sure I wanted to be embraced. It's a weird place to be. My mother had two children after me. My half brother was in jail for selling drugs and was killed in 1994 or so when he fell while doing welding on a building being constructed in Philadelphia. My half sister, who was named Karen (my mother did not know my adopted name!) had a baby at 14 and later married a man 20 years or so older than her. My father had three children. A half sister lives in Hawaii and has no contact with the family. My half brother, the only sibling who I have spoken to, has a daughter and lives with his in laws in Palmyra. My half sister lives in Logan Township and has a son who I see on Facebook (he needs to up his privacy settings!) As far as I know the brother never told his mother or his sister about me. My brother and sister went to Highland High School. I've seen their high school photos in their year book. My husband's cousin went to school with them. It's all sort of amazing to me. The world is a small place and we are all connected somehow!!!
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Darlene:
Yes we are and even a small gesture or ripple can make a difference - good or bad- I am so pleased to have shared this with you. Peace.
January 27, 2010
To anyone interested in a good read, I just finished the MG/YA ( I'm not sure which it was) book that made the Honorable Mention for this year's Newbery Medal: THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. It's great historical fiction set in 1899 and written by first time author Jacqueline Kelly. Check it out.
I also read a nifty interview in PARADE magazine a few weeks ago with Rapper LL Cool J. He is in a new TV show called NCIS: LA. I am not a fan of Hip Hop and have not followed the antics of many of its stars. After reading about LL however, I found a remarkably down to earth and perceptive gentleman. He is a family man and a class act. I particularly like one of his quotes: "Success is a long, long road, but failure is only a step away." It appears he is on the road to success with the new TV show. He has a new fan.
Think Spring.
January 22, 2010
If you are looking for a great book of fun-filled, illustrated poetry (think Shel Silverstein), check out THE ENDLESS STRING, written by Tom and Tess Hannah. You can see excerpts on their website: tomandtesshannah.com
I have a funny story regarding a lesson I taught in school yesterday. I teach a language lesson three days a week to developmentally delayed preschoolers. Yesterday I retold the story of the THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF. I had some props to go along with the tale: a stuffed bridge, a small, medium and large set of Billy Goats, and a really nasty looking troll. I use different voices for each characters and am really "over the top" in my story telling. After the troll threatens to eat the first billy goat, one little boy named Danny begins to frown. By the time I get to the second goat and Mr. Troll says "I am going to eat you", Danny jumps out of his seat and knocks the troll from my hand and says "I don't yike him." At this point, it was hard for me to continue without acknowledging his brave gesture. Danny saw the injustice of a bully and in his 3 year old way, tried to make it right. I LOVE MY JOB!
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Karen DeFrank:
Hi Darlene. First, thanks for the heads up about your blog. I LOVE to read, and I LOVE to read blogs, and I have added you to my blog list. I have tried to WRITE a blog and I am no good at it. I loose interest and it just turns into a disaster. I have a story to tell you: Today I had a first grade class in the library. I was talking about March 2's Read Across America celebration and one of my boys told me he won't be at school that week. He is going to Egypt to visit his grandparents. I asked if he speaks Arabic at home and he smiled a huge smile and said yes. Then the others chimed in. In the class of 20 first graders we have Yousif who speaks Arabic, Anil who speaks Turkish, Donovan whose father speaks Nigerian- he didn't remember the name of the language -and he says he is learning but mom speaks English- and FOUR boys who speak Spanish - James, Henry, Eduard, and Diego. All of these children - all boys, I just realized - are very fluent in English. Isn't that amazing? I LOVE MY JOB 2!!!
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Darlene:
Karen, It is SO good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your story with me. We both know the joy of reading and sharing a good book/story. I'll bet you could write an interesting blog of all the children that have come and gone over the years. I look forward to hearing more of your stories. Happy reading (and writing).
January 17, 2010
Food for thought: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Mark Twain
May you take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, regardless of how it's dressed.
January 16, 2010
I am entering an interesting contest at the kidlit.com website. You post the first 500 words of a finished MG or YA novel to Mary, and she will choose the ones that win a free critique. I am all for getting feedback from anyone willing to give it. I'll let you know how it goes.
January 15, 2010
I found out today my romance short story placed 84th out of the top 100 in the 78th annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. That and 44 cents will buy me a stamp. Ah well, it keeps me humble and gives me some hope that maybe next time I'll place 83rd. :>}
Peace.
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Betsy Devany:
Congratulations! I love the dust bunnies. And no, I won't be there in March. Sigh!!
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Theresa Wallace-Pregent:
Congratulations Darlene! We need those little affirmations! Keep on writing!
January 13, 2010
Here is a simple and easy to learn game to help pass some indoor time when video games and other diversions are not quite what we want. My mother learned it from her mother who brought it over here from her native Czechoslovakia. It is called COM PADA NIH PADA and means ODD/EVEN. It is played with a bowl of mixed nuts in their shells. Players sit in a circle on the floor and decide who will be first. The first player grabs a handful of nuts and the player to his right must say "odd" or "Even". After the nuts are counted, if he guessed correctly, he gets the nuts and it is his turn to grab the next handful. If he is incorrect, the nuts go back in the bowl and player one tries again with the next person. Pass the bowl around until all get a chance to guess and when the bowl is empty, the game ends. Whoever has the most nuts is the winner.
There you have it. No assembly required and no batteries needed. Have fun and know that while playing, you are carrying on a tradition that has been handed down for generations.
Peace.
Darlene
January 10, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I finally did the depressing job of "putting away Christmas" and am now free to concentrate on the resolutions. Always in my top 3 is to write more. Having thenew web site and blog gives me a renewed enthusiasm for writing. I hope this year is the one that we all find brings success in our writing...whatever form that takes. For me, I wait to hear an agent/editor say, "Wow...this is JUST what I was looking for." Happy writing.
December 13, 2009
This easy craft is one we've made for years at school and parents love the wonderful smell of the ornaments.
- Mix 1 cup of cinnamon, 1 cup of applesauce, and 2 T. of white glue until you get a dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters.
- Use a straw to make a hole at the top of each ornament for threading a ribbon to hang when dry.
- Let ornaments dry on wax paper overnight.
- You can hang up as is, or paint glue on the front and sprinkle with glitter.
These ornaments make great gifts for grandparents. My daughter and I made them when she was small, and They still smell wonderful when I take them out each year to hang on the tree.
Have Fun!
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Kathy Temean:
This sounds like something I would like to try, but are you sure about the cup of cinnamon? I have never bought cinnamon in anything other than a small bottle from the spice section of the super market. How do you buy big volumns? Does it come in bags or boxes like flour and sugar? If so, where do you buy it? Can you paint them with acrylic paint when they dry? Or would that mess them up? Do they break easily? Aren't I just full of questions? Kathy
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Darlene:
You can buy a large container of cinnamon in the spice aisle at the grocery store. You can try painting it on one side to decorate. Keep in mind that if you cover it all in acrylic you will lose the wonderful smell. Experiment and see what works best.
November 17, 2009
Greetings and welcome to my blog! As a teacher by day and a freelance writer and children’s author the rest of the time, I’ve thought about what I want this blog to be about. None of you need to know what I eat, my gripes, or the latest celebrity gossip (If you DO need to know those things, there are other places to find them). As writers, we write best about the things that we enjoy. As a teacher working with children ages 3-8 for many years, one of the things I enjoy is the spontaneity, enthusiasm and “tell it like it is” mentality of this age group. No matter how miserable I may feel waking up, when I get to school and a four year old grabs my legs in a hug and says “I yuv you”, all I can do is smile and say “Boy do I have a great job”.
So, here you will find kid friendly crafts, recipes, words of wisdom and maybe a few tips on how to keep the muse engaged. When I find interesting and useful information about writing, I’ll post it. When I see or hear something that inspires or makes me angry, I may post that too. The rest of the time, you will find monthly activities to do at home with young children. They are tested and have been given the 3-8 year old seal of approval. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear from you.
Peace and blessings until we meet again.
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Darlene:
Thanks for visiting. It's always great to hear from you.